That is my tree on my neighbor's yard in the picture. Cleaned up now. The funeral home and the beautiful brick home on the corner are slated for demolition if a plan by Knoxivlle commercial developers is approved to redevelop this corner into a mini-strip mall or similar. We are very concerned about increased traffic, noise, and light in our residential enclave and at the intersection. I am also concerned about the image of our town presented to our children. Do we really need another fast food outlet here? Sent to The Daily Times last night:

I am a new homeowner on Jones Avenue. Some of you may know this as a street of charming older homes near the Fort Craig Boys and Girls Club and Maryville College. Hospital employees and visitors may refer to it as their back entrance to Blount Memorial. Most of you probably see my street as you wait in a long line of traffic to turn left onto Washington Avenue from Lamar Alexander Parkway.
The Jones Avenue Community has been vocal at city meetings to consider a development proposal put forth by Knoxville developers and investors. This proposal involves demolishing and redeveloping three properties (two on Washington Avenue and one on Lamar Street directly in front of the Boys and Girls Club), rezoning the property on Lamar, and closing the alleyway used by Boys and Girls Club families and many others in order to consolidate the properties.
I recently read The Daily Times report of the September 15 meeting, and I sincerely appreciate your coverage of these important events. I feel compelled to voice that I was dismayed by the reported comments of city officials. Some of the language quoted in the paper betrayed a dismissive attitude toward the residents of the neighborhood affected by the proposed development. An official referred to us as just six houses and a bunch of rentals. While we are a small neighborhood, we are part of a larger downtown community including the hospital, the Boys and Girls Club, a historic church, and other adjoining neighborhoods such as College Hill and Everett Hill. We represent a significant piece of Maryville’s history, and I hate to see us dismissed or simply portrayed as a thorn in the side of development.
Moreover, officials pointed to zoning changes that were put into place in 1957 which urged commercial development along Washington and in the Central Community District. While that history is important, I would argue it overlooks the fact that small neighborhoods in the middle of towns like Maryville were little affected by outside business interests in 1957. The proposed development would serve primarily to line the pockets of investors and franchise owners outside of our community. Rather than use these ordinances, which the city admits are in need of revision, as a guide for establishing yet another mini-strip of fast-food vendors, our city officials could look at the rezoning requests and requests to close alleyways as appeals from individuals who don’t hold land or genuine concern for our community. They could question the motivation behind those making these requests, consider the likely outcomes, and stand up for the Maryville citizens who are practically begging for their protection.